Various other groups and initiatives. Raul Castro warned earlier
about “attempts to subtly introduce platforms for neoliberal thought and
for the restoration of neocolonial capitalism.”

Saying he “reiterated on many occasions our willingness to hold a
respectful dialogue with the United States on the basis of sovereign
equality in order to deal reciprocally with a wide variety of topics
without detriment to the national Independence and self-determination of
our people.”

“We propose to the Government of the United States the
adoption of mutual steps to improve the bilateral atmosphere and advance
towards normalization of relations between our two countries, based on
the principles of International Law and the United Nations Charter.”
“We don’t demand that the US change its political or social system and we don’t accept negotiations over ours.”

Turning truth on its head saying his “actions have vindicate the
brutal behavior of the Cuban government. (S)et(ting) an extremely
dangerous precedent.”

“(I)nvit(ing) dictatorial and rogue regimes to use
Americans serving overseas as bargaining chips. I fear that today’s
actions will put at risk the thousands of Americans that work overseas
to support civil society, advocate for access to information, provide
humanitarian services, and promote democratic reforms.”

The New York Times cited
unnamed administration officials. Saying Treasury will issue easing
Cuban trade regulations. On US agricultural exports. Banking relations.

Efforts will move quickly to replace old rules with new ones.
Facilitating travel. Financial dealings. Exports. According to US
officials.

“The Office of Foreign Assets Control at the Treasury
Department will scrap a measure that requires people who are already
eligible for travel to Cuba to receive special permission from the
government for trips such as those involving family visits,
professional, religious or cultural programs and humanitarian projects,”
said The Times.

“New rules will also make it easier to get there, by allowing the
direct purchase of airline tickets to Cuba rather than requiring
travelers to go through a travel agent and charter a flight.”

Treasury is increasing how much money Americans may send Cubans. Fourfold. From $500 to $2,000.

The State Department may end Cuba’s unjust state sponsor of terrorism
designation. Longstanding US Cuban policy reflects it writ large. Don’t
expect The Times to explain.

According to US Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, Roberta Jacobson:

“We would anticipate that we will have an embassy before” nominating an ambassador.

“That process is relatively straightforward, frankly, from a legal
perspective. We can do that via an exchange of letters or of notes. It
doesn’t require a formal sort of legal treaty or agreement.”

White House officials said they spent months determining how far to
go unilaterally. Without violating the letter of embargo conditions. Or
“eviscerat(ing)” them.

Washington’s Havana Interests Section will serve as its embassy. A future nest of destabilizing spies.

Political analyst Andrew Korybko asked if Raul Castro “reverse(d) the entire Cuban revolution.” Did he make “a fatal mistake?”

By getting in bed with the devil. It remains to be seen how much.
Will color revolution follow? At age 88, Fidel’s time is passing.
Whether soon or later who knows.

Korybko believes he’s closer to death than Havana admits. An era will
pass with his loss. Inevitable sooner or later. Key is what follows.

Raul is 83. Reportedly in good health. Last year saying he’ll step
down in 2018. “This is my last term,” he said. Shortly after National
Assembly members reelected him for another five years.

At the same time naming Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez First Vice President. Next in line to Raul.

Cuba’s current government appears its last under Fidel and Raul.
Possible succession figures include Diaz-Canel. Four other vice
presidents.

Including Jose Machado Ventura. Aged 82. Ceding his first vice presidential position to Diaz-Canel.

In 2013, 68-year-old former vice president Estaban Lazo was named
National Assembly president. Replacing longtime leader Ricardo Alarcon.

Earlier he commented on who would succeed Fidel, saying:

“All those who have been trying to fool the world and put
out the idea that something terrible would happen in Cuba, that people
would take to the streets, that there would be great instability, the
door slammed on them and they must have very swollen hands now.”

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. His new book as editor and contributor is titled “Flashpoint in Ukraine: US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III.” http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com.
Listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the
Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network. It airs
three times weekly: live on Sundays at 1PM Central time plus two
prerecorded archived programs.

Quotes

"There is beauty in truth, even if it's painful. Those who lie, twist life so that it looks tasty to the lazy, brilliant to the ignorant, and powerful to the weak. But lies only strengthen our defects. They don't teach us anything, help anything, fix anything or cure anything. Nor do they develop one's character, one's mind, one's heart or one's soul." Jose Harris

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